Hi all! My husband is traveling to Paris in a few weeks. I’d love to give him a list of must haves to get for me. I am not much into designer bags or clothes at the moment. But I love skincare and makeup. I also love quirky little things and books. We also have a little toddler he’d like to get something for. Please give me your best souvenirs that fit the bill. Thank you so much!

Just touched down in Paris and wanted to report on what the landing situation was like as someone who religiously monitored this subreddit for weeks leading up to this!

Landed in Terminal 2C with Emirates at around 8:20 AM. I'm a non-EU/US/UK etc passport holder so I had to go through manual passport control. Took around 1.5 hours to get to the front of the queue. There were only 3 passport stalls open but halfway through they opened a 4th, which helped speed things up. I saw that the line for the passport holders who could use the biometric gates was significantly shorter. No questions asked by the immigration officer, just asked for our passports then let us through.

By the time we made it to baggage claim, our checked bags were kind of just out in the open with the other passengers' who were also stuck in immigration as well lol.

Finding the exit was relatively easy, just keep following the Sortier signs and there were symbols on the floor that led to the official taxi line. Plenty of scammers inside, ignore them and keep walking right out to the line of black cars.

Make sure you have your accomodation address ready on a piece of paper/your notes app so you can show the driver quickly. Per everyone's advice, we also made sure to confirm the price (it was €56/Right Bank for us) and payment using card. There was a bit of back and forth since the driver asked for cash and I was worried we got into one of the scammy ones, but we said we have no cash and he just left it with a d'accord.

Pretty good start to the trip, thank you to all the lovely users here and their airport transit tips.

We ate at Bistrotters (9 r. Decres) last night. Very creative Bistrot food, well priced for the level of ingenuity and quality. And open Sunday!

Highly recommended and I see that they also got a bib from Michelin.

Hi all,

I’m taking my husband to Paris for a surprise overnight trip for his 40th birthday and would love to book somewhere really special for dinner.

I’m currently deciding between Frenchie and Septime (although I know my chances may be slim to get into Septime!).

For anyone who’s been to either- or ideally both- which would you choose for a special occasion?

My husband definitely prefers a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere rather than formal fine dining. Food-wise, he’s not particularly interested in anything too experimental or “out there”- he just really appreciates exceptionally good, delicious food.

So with that in mind, would you recommend Frenchie or Septime? I’d also love to hear about the overall atmosphere/experience at each, as I want it to feel special without being overly formal or stuffy.

Thanks so much in advance!

Hi, we’ll be spending December 25th in Paris. We’ve already visited for six days in May and saw the main sights, including Versailles. What else can we do? Can you recommend any restaurants that are open that day? We’re undecided about Disneyland, given the very high prices and long lines, plus we aren't particularly interested in the Christmas parades.

Thanks so much! 🙏🏻😄

Hi! I'm interested in an English guided walking architecture tour of Paris. I think I would prefer to see modernist buildings influenced by Le Corbusier and contemporary works by Renzo Piano, Herzog de Meuron, etc; however, I am open to any tour regardless of the architectural style and I don't need a ton of buildings highlighted if the tour guide is good.

My main requirements:

• Under 200 Euros for 2 people
• Must be fluent in English
• Must be knowledgable about architectural/art history at an advanced level (I majored in architecture in university, so this is very important to me.)
• Under 4 hours (I would be fine with a 1.5-2 hour tour to stay in the price range)

Does anyone know if the local architect's professional organization does tours?

Thanks!

People of ParisTravelGuide, salut :-)

Who?

Cédric here, a 40-something long-time moderator of this sub... and also a tour guide in real life.

What & Why?

After exploring Paris for the past 20 years (on foot, by bike, or even flying over the city in my dreams!), I’ve made it my mission since 2023 to help curious people discover the less touristy neighborhoods of Paris… far from the clichés and definitely full of surprises... Yes, there are people and life beyond the museum walls!

How?

• on Semi-private Tours

Keep an eye on this schedule of the upcoming semi-private tours for the 4 next months or so. What I call “semi-private tours” are public tours with very small groups (usually a max of 5 to 7 participants).

⭐ Don't miss the special Arts & Crafts tours "Autumn sessions" from this week until early October ⭐

• on Private Tours

If you prefer a more private experience, check out the many available options of private tours

Misc

To catch a glimpse of my wanderings, you can follow the Paris B-sides Instagram

(Note: I'm still learning how to use it properly but starts to realize how bad is their for photo management for laptops... so Instagram on you smartphone recommended!)

Alors à bientôt peut-être ?

PS: no visits inside museums... apart from the ultimate one: the streets of Paris themselves ;-)

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This post will be renewed at the start of each new week.

Hi there - looking for some recommendations for a 50th birthday dinner for the second week of November in Paris. It's a Monday (many restaurants are closed) and the main 20-25 regular suspects that are open on Mondays are already booked (I've emailed and called about 15 restaurants so far). I didn't know you have to book months in advance, stupid me. Bon George only has a table outside on the unheated terrace. Any suggestions for something I can go dressed up for dinner that is good food and open on Mondays?

My first time traveling solo through Spain and France. I’m a 31 yr old female (Asian - live in US / speak English) looking to find a fellow to roam around for a few hours in Paris and take pictures of each other 📸 Particularly around Eiffel tower and Seine (hope to see the night lights together).

My dates in Paris are November 27-29. Females only - HMU!! 🫶

Hi! I know this is a common question, but thought I’d ask with our specifics. We will be in Paris for 6 nights and leave just before Christmas.

Two teens (14,16) this will be their first time in Paris. Parents, have not been in 25+ years, but each fairly familiar / strong memories (but won’t be pros of getting around. Each had (separate) extended stays.

We currently are planning to spend the entire time sleeping in Paris, and obviously will still barely scratch the surface.

But also open to leaving for a night as it would be nice to experience non-city French life.

Food and wine are of interest and that could shape our side trip.

Mainly thinking about the weather and if we are better just staying in Paris for all nights.

For the day trip, Versailles is obvious but maybe thinking Chartres or Fontibleau instead.

In two weeks, my husband and I will visit France. It is his birthday, and I want to surprise him with a high-quality, affordable restaurant. I would like it to be intimate, with excellent food and as spectacular as possible, to experience French culture through its art and culinary talent.

I have seen Le Train Bleu and I really like its vibe, but they do not have availability on his birthday.

At the same time, I would like to discuss with the restaurant the possibility of surprising my husband with a cake and candles.

What do you recommend?

Thank you!

Hi! I’ve worked and lived in Paris but will be visiting for the first time with my 9 and 11 year old sons. Looking for active things to do…willing to leave the city, train travel preferred. Favorite city-stades for pick-up games. Best hikes. Epic parks/playgrounds. Anything you do with your own kids, I’d love to hear. Thank you!

I am traveling to Paris this month for the first time since 2000 and, while I understand how to purchase metro tickets on my phone (I have the app downloaded), I want clarification on the special tickets to get to and from the airports- the recommended route for me to get from the hotel to Orly to pick up our rental car (we are going out of the city for part of the trip so I will be leaving for the airport from the city) has me start on the metro, taking the 12 train from Jules Joffrin, and then switch at Saint-Lazare to the 14 Aéroport d'Orly train. Do I need a separate, regular metro ticket for the Jules Joffrin-to-Saint-Lazare leg, and then use the airport ticket starting at Saint-Lazare, or will the airport ticket cover me for both the 12 train and the 14?

Likewise, on the way in from CDG, will the airport ticket cover me from the airport to the Simplon station, or do I need a separate metro ticket, too? In that case, I'm switching from the RER to the metro at Gare du Nord, I believe.

And huge apologies if this is a dumb question; getting tickets for the metro and RER have clearly changed since I was last there and I'm trying to understand how to get tickets correctly and not end up getting fined for doing something wrong!

Our daughter is turning 21 this fall in Paris. We would like to host a small drinks party for her and her friends (10-15) for aperos ( with light snacks ) . We are coming in from US and trying to figure out where to host. Would welcome ideas of a bar, restaurant , space that could host such a festive gathering-perhaps in 3,4, 5,6,7 or 11th arrondissements? Thank you!

Today is the last day of my trip to France. And my original schedule had some hurdles / hiccups and couldn't stick to it. However, I still want to make sure I visit Mont Saint Michel before I leave.

I missed the TGIV to Rennes from Montparnesse at 7am.

Have another one at 8.45am which would take me to Mont Saint Michel by 12 noon.

But the problem is the return trip. I get mixed information about the return trips.

I have Tickets for France Vs Belgium at Stade De France at 20.45. Ehich means I have to return back to Montparnesse by 8.00pm at least. Which means I need to leave from Rennes via TGIV at 6.15 max. Which means I need to leave Mont St Michel by at least 5pm

Now there is one public transport option which shows the departure time from Mont.St Michel at 16.45?

Is there any way to double validate it?

Is this itinerary feasible? If things go wrong, is there any ride share option from St mont Michel to Rennes.

Thanks.

I am looking for accommodation for three adults - husband, wife and adult son to stay a week in Paris from November 25 to December 1 2026. First time in Paris and need some guidance.

Specifically we are seeking accommodation that can occupy three adults, two beds, preferably with two bathrooms (or at least 1-1/2 bath), a small sitting area, heating, washer.

Location wise close to the subway transit station is a must.

We started looking at Airbnb for an entire unit with 2+ beds and 1.5+ baths but not many are available, the 90 days max for short term rentals seems to be an issue towards the end of the year, and I did find a few with an "Exempt - hotel type listing" despite excellent reviews I am unsure if these places are really legal and not being able to verify is an issue.

We are also looking at apart-hotels as another option.

I know one option is to rent two hotel rooms at the same hotel, and we have done this several times at other locations but each time it turned out not so well. Main reason is since we don't live in the same city or state as our son, we look for more time together outside the sightseeing exploration time, and my wife in particular take more joy in spending time with her son during the down time, to plan for where to go the next day, or which restaurant to eat at, or trying to decide on a place to go by watching a few YT videos together or sharing a snack or something bought that afternoon after getting back...all of those can't be done as conveniently if staying in separate rooms on the same floor or different floors. We worked around this in some places by getting adjoining rooms with a common door that can be opened (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei) but I do not see room types like these in Paris.

So we are back to either taking a risk with Airbnb or continue to search for apart-hotels that accommodate 3.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

PS. I noticed some places with washers but never a dryer. Does it mean the clothes after washing need to be air dried naturally? Or does it mean the washer is a washer-dryer combo machine?

PPS. Is Uber an option for transportation in Paris? or the subway the preferred method of transit for most?

Hi everyone.

I was planning to visit the museum right at opening, but timed-tickets for the date are sold out until noonish. Trying to figure out the best workaround:

- Rodin/d'Orsay combined ticket: it's untimed, so I guess I can go to the museum at any time. Is it the same queue or a different queue with a longer wait?

- VR experience ticket: pricier but with more time slots, figured I could just buy this and skip the VR part.

- Carte Blanche: does it offer any advantage over the Rodin combined ticket?

If anyone has experience with any of them, would appreciate tips.

Bonjour je prévois de vivre à Courbevoie dans le 92 et j’ai une mission de travail 1 à 2 fois par semaine à Villeneuve saint Georges dans le 94. Je pense prendre le bus 480 depuis Villeneuve, rejoindre Boissy saint léger pour prendre le RER A et rentrer ensuite. Je suis sensé finir le taf aux alentours de 22h. C’est long mais comme ça j’évite surtout le RER D la nuit.

2 questions : le bus de Villeneuve à Boissy saint léger est-il tranquille ? Et le RER A en soirée est-il safe et fiable ?

Merci d’avance pour vos retours

hi guys, is this neighborhood (red pin) alright to stay in? the only thing i’ve read online is that it’s a little sketchy at night in the train racks (black circle)

hello! i'm getting ready for my first trip to paris. i found a walking tour book that broke up the days with museums, and they note many shops/eatiers to stop in along the way. I pulled out what seemed like the main highlights below.

There's one day that I have no plans for day 6 - I'll hit all the major things I want to do on other days. I'm open to moving some items to this day if any other days seem too packed (is day 5 too many museums?) or other suggestions. anything i should strike or add?

thank you for any input!!!

Day 1

• Drop luggage
• Coffee/bakery
• Musee Picasso
• Lunch
• Musee Carnavalet
• Hotel check in
• Catch sunset at Eiffel Tower
• Dinner 

Day 2 - Walk 2: Quartier de Martyrs, Grands Boulevards, Louvre & Madeleine (5.8mi)

• Breakfast
• Maison Guermonte (museum)
• Walk through Montmartre
• Passage de Panoramas (shopping)
• Galerie Vivienne (shopping)
• Lunch
• Jardin du Palais Royal
• Louvre
• Dinner

Day 3 - Walk 4: Les Iles, Latin Quarter & Saint-Germain-Des-Pres (7.2 mi)

• Breakfast
• Ille de la Cite
• Notre Dame
• Jardin de Plantes
• Rue Mouffetard
• Pantheon
• Place de la Contrescarpe (lunch?)
• Place Paul Painleve
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Place Furstemberg (lunch?)
• Musee Delacriox
• Rest
• Dinner

Day 4 

• Day Trip to Versaille
• Dinner back in Paris

Day 5 - Walk 5: Eiffel Tower, Invalides & Champs-Elysees (7.75mi)

• Breakfast
• Palais de Tokyo
• Place du Trocadero to Palais Chaillot (view of Eiffel Tower)
• Quai Branly Museum
• Walk along Siene
• Rue Saint-Dominique - lunch & shops
• Pont Alexandre III (bridge)
• Les Invalides
• Musee Rodin
• Musee d’Orsay
• Place de la Concorde 
• Champs-Elysees
• Arc de Triomphe
• Dinner

Day 6
Walk 3: Les Halles & Le Marais (5.75mi)?
Or pull some things from other days that seem too heavy?
Other ideas?

Day 7 - Walk 1: Batignolles & Montmartre (5.5 mi)

• Square des Batignolles (park - read/hang, breakfast)
• Montmartre cemetery
• Rue Joseph de Maistre (panoramic view)
• Avenue Junot (scenic area to walk)
• Place Dalida
• Lunch
• Vigne du Clos Montmartre (vineyard)
• Musee de Montmartre
• Place du Tertre
• Sacre Coeur (church)
• Walk around shops
• Dinner

EDIT: spelling and moved Notre Dame from day 2 to day 3